Breeder/Owner Louise I. Humphrey Dies

Louise I. Humphrey, a successful breeder and owner, died March 18 at her Miccosukee, Fla., home. She was 93.

Humphrey bred and or raced about 15 stakes winners in partnership. They included graded winners Baletti, Gemologist, Personal Legend, Ravel, and Victory Ride with her son, G. Watts Humphrey Jr., who served as president of The Blood-Horse Inc.

Bred by the mother and son team, Gemologist won last year’s Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (gr. II) at Churchill Downs and his 3-year-old debut March 16 at Gulfstream Park. He is being pointed to the Resorts World Casino New York City Wood Memorial (gr. I) April 7.

Victory Ride was a grade I winner for Louise Humprey and her son. Victory Ride’s biggest score came in the 2001 Test Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga.

Humphrey, who spent her first six decades in Ohio, lived the remainder of her years in Florida. She served as president of the Northern Ohio Opera Association and the Metropolitan Opera in New York. She moved to Florida in 1982.

Humphrey was a trustee of the Tallahassee Symphony and the Thomasville Arts Center (in Georgia) and was given an honorary degree by Florida State University for her contributions to the FSU School of Music.

Humphrey's survivors include another son, George, along with seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.